SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - A group of New York City high schoolers navigated the crowded streets and historic landmarks of Seoul on April 4, as part of a competitive cultural exchange hosted by Kookmin University, the prominent institute in Seoul said Wednesday. The program, organized by the university's HUSS Global Coexistence Project Group, challenged 24 students from Bronx Prep and Democracy Prep Endurance high schools to complete an "Amazing Race" style mission alongside local university mentors.
The initiative moves away from traditional sightseeing in favor of global service-learning, a model Kookmin University (KMU) uses to teach the Korean language and culture through direct social interaction. By teaming up to solve real-world problems, the participants focused on the practical side of cross-cultural communication.
The day began at the KMU campus, where teams plotted routes using Seoul's public transit system to reach major sites like Insadong, Cheonggyecheon, Gwanghwamun, and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Under a three-hour time limit, students had to use their Korean skills to complete specific tasks, such as buying traditional snacks and navigating specific checkpoints, effectively turning the city into a sprawling classroom.
KMU student supporters acted as peers rather than traditional tour guides, working with the visitors to bridge language gaps and strategize their movements. This collaborative approach allowed both the American and Korean students to build the rapport and intercultural skills necessary for global citizenship.
Lee Dong-eun, Vice Director of the HUSS Global Coexistence Project Group and a professor in the School of Korean Language and Literature, highlighted the educational value of this hands-on approach.
"This program is significant as a field-based international exchange where Korean and American youth communicate and cooperate through the medium of Korean language and culture," Lee Dong-eun said. "I hope the students gained an educational experience in realizing the values of global coexistence by making their own decisions and solving tasks within the given conditions."
The university intends to build on this success by deepening its ties with international schools. "We plan to continue expanding student-led international exchange programs in connection with overseas educational institutions to foster global talent capable of building a peaceful and sustainable global community," Lee Dong-eun added.
The HUSS Global Coexistence Consortium—a partnership between Kwangwoon University, KMU, Sun Moon University, Yeungnam University, and Honam University—has been operating since 2024 with backing from the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The group is dedicated to training students to handle complex global issues regarding sustainability and international cooperation.
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